Becoming a Nurse -- Advance Practice Options
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If you are currently working on just becoming a nurse the thought of further education may lead you to ETOH intoxication, but you may want to keep this in the back of your mind when you make choices as to where you work and where you go to school. Advance practice nurses all start off with a general RN and get additional education and training as they work on the floor. Advance practice nursing includes
Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Specialist, Nurse Anesthesiologist, Nurse Midwife and Case Manager.
Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner sees patients, diagnose illness and writes prescriptions (in some states) under the supervision of a physician. In many places a Nurse Practitioner functions as the doctor's First Assist during surgery. Nurse Practitioners are now being educated at the doctorate level and must be licensed by the state they practice in. Advance Practice -- Nurse PractitionerAANP A national organization created for nurse practitioners.
Becoming a Clinical Specialist
This is a Master's Degree prepared nurse that specializes in one area of the clinical setting. A Clinical Specialist could be on a wound team or may advise on pain management. They are also expected to educate the RNs at the institution they work in.
Becoming a Nurse Anesthetist
The nurse anesthetist can work for a hospital, out-patient surgery center, in a group practice, or they can practice independently. They work with surgeons or on an anesthesia team with an anesthesiologist. This is the person who will intubate the patient and make sure they are comfortable and alive during surgery. Nurse Anesthetists can administer anesthesia in all types of surgical cases including general, regional, local, or sedation. They are some of the highest paid nurses and require some of the most extensive training and education of any specialty.
Becoming a Nurse Midwife
Many nurses consider Midwifery to one of the most beautiful, rewarding experiences in all of creation. A Nurse Midwife delivers babies often in alternative locations including the patient's home. While a Nurse Midwife does get paid well most of them do it for joy it brings.
Becoming a Case Manager
A nurse that works as a Case Manager looks at the patient as a whole and not an illness to be treated. This is the person who makes sure the patient has a ride home, oxygen available when they get there and follow up treatment scheduled. If the patient is homeless, the Case Manager would even make arrangements for them to have a safe place to stay upon discharge. Education for Case Manager depends on the employing institution, but is usually as the Bachelor's or Master's level.Return to: College Tips--Becoming a Nurse
